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Your Turn: Kavanaugh could take away reproductive rights

Andrea Beesing
Published 6:00 a.m. ET Aug. 31, 2018

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Democrats are continuing their calls to delay the confirmation hearings of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. They cite a lack of information and Michael Cohen linking the president to a federal crime as reasons to delay the hearings. (Aug. 23)
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As the Senate confirmation hearings for Brett Kavanaugh get underway, it is important for all Americans to understand what is at stake.

Kavanaugh has demonstrated his adherence to ultra-conservative views on social issues such as reproductive rights, workers’ rights and LGBTQ rights. His appointment to the Supreme Court would pose a real and immediate threat to the progress we have made in extending the promise of the American dream to all, as our founding fathers intended.

Although there are so many other reasons to oppose this nomination, my focus in this letter is on reproductive rights. This is the cause that is the nearest and dearest to my heart, a conviction based on firsthand experiences as a young woman in the ’60s and ’70s. I know how hard people, especially women, fought for these rights and what it would mean to lose them.

Make no mistake — the conservative agenda is to strip women of their right to choose, a right guaranteed by the Supreme Court over four decades ago. Polls consistently demonstrate that the majority of Americans support the decision in Roe v. Wade. With Kavanaugh tilting the balance of the Supreme Court, it is very possible that this decision could be overturned.

If that ultimate blow to women’s rights is averted by some chance, there are many other ways an ultra-conservative Supreme Court can chip away at reproductive rights by ruling in favor of laws designed to limit access to the full range of reproductive healthcare services.

I would urge everyone who supports reproductive rights for women to contact your senators today to state your opposition to Kavanaugh’s appointment.